Caddis Cripple Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Caddis Cripple
New tying vid: Caddis Cripple
While this color is intended for use on the Firehole River, where it matches the crucial June and September White Miller or Nectopsyche caddis, a few color tweaks makes this pattern match any caddis you wish, and it also makes a good low-riding attractor dry for summer. Tie them in olive-brown for the upcoming Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch, imminent on the Yellowstone & Madison!
Recipe
Hook: Short shank dry, #12-20 (especially #14-16). Here, #16.
Thread: 8/0 to match or contrast overall color tones of the fly. Here, cream.
Body: Dubbing of your choice. Here, golden Arizona Synthetic Peacock. Keep the body sparse and rather scraggly.
Wing and Head: Widow’s Web or similar hydrophobic synthetic. Here, beige. Typical “realistic” colors are caddis tan and light tan. Typical “attractor” colors are white, polar bear, and beige.
Hackle: 4-5 turns of saddle hackle, trimmed under the hook. Here, barred light ginger.
Delektable Spanker Nymph Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
Delektable Spanker Nymph: Introduction
Dan Delekta’s Lil Spanker and Big Spanker are red hot “guide flies” in southwest Montana. In essence, the Delektable Spanker Nymph series consists of Pheasant Tail and Lightning Bug variations tied with long flash legs and CDC collars. This particular color variant tied jig-style was my top-producing nymph on guided trips on the Yellowstone and Stillwater Rivers from the middle of August through about September 20 during the 2020 season. To learn more about Dan Delekta’s flies, visit this page and peruse his catalog.
I am now accepting bookings for the 2021 season. In fact I am already about 1/3 booked during the month of July, so if you’re looking to book a guided trip, it makes sense to get on the phone soon.
Video
Delektable Spanker Nymph: Recipe
Hook: 60-degree barbless standard jig, #12-18.
Bead: Slotted tungsten, here gold.
Thread: 8/0 To match or slightly contrast with body, here 8/0 light brown.
Tail: Speckled game bird or hackle, here medium pardo cod-de-leon.
Abdomen: Pheasant Tail fibers, Flashabou, or tinsel. Here holographic gold Flashabou.
Rib: Copper wire, here brown in Brassies size.
Wing Case: Tinsel, here medium opal Mirage.
Thorax: Peacock herl or flashy dubbing, here brown stone SLF dub.
Legs: Krystal Flash or Midge Krystal Flash, here tan Midge Krystal Flash.
Collar: CDC, here brown.
Pink AMEX Czech Nymph Fly Tying Video
Posted on March 4th, 2021
The pink AMEX Czech is one of the most popular nymph patterns in winter and early spring on the Missouri River, and a good bet on any tailwater stream. It suggests both eggs and dead/dying scuds, and as such is a good “junk bug” attractor pattern on tailwaters.
While normally tied on a scud hook, I prefer to tie larger versions (#12-14) on jig hooks with tungsten beads, to cut down on hangups. Pair these with some smaller fly, such as a Pink Lightning Bug.
In addition to the AMEX Czech, it’s also worth checking out the “Rainbow Czech,” which is generally similar except with the dubbing colors reversed and a full scud-style shellback. Both patterns bear some similarity to the Pink Squirrel nymph popular in the Driftless region of the upper Midwest.
Hook: Lightning Strike Jig, #12-18, or #10-16 Umpqua C450BL (note: the Lightning Strikes tend to run a touch big).
Bead: Nickel slotted tungsten, 5/32″ to 3/32″
Thread: 6/0 or 8/0 fl. fire orange.
Rib: Black Hareline Midge or Micro tubing. Here a sub for the midge tubing called Crystal String is used.
Abdomen: Bighorn pink Wapsi sow-scud dubbing, or comparable dubbing blend.
Wing Case: Large or medium opal tinsel depending on fly size.
Thorax: Rainbow Wapsi sow-scud dubbing.